Miner

Yellow Red Sparks, yOya, Sami

Miner

Miner is a Los Angeles/Silverlake folk-rock group formed in 2012 from the creative nervous breakdown of songwriter Justin Miner, which led him to take an extended break from the music world. He subsequently left Los Angeles to travel the jungles of Central and South America and the redwoods of California's central coast. He returned home rejuvenated, built a small studio in his bedroom with one microphone, and recruited family members (wife Kate Miner, brother Jeremy Miner) to sing and stomp, and Miner was born. When the recording was finished, Justin uploaded first single "Hey Love" to Soundcloud, and within a few days it unexpectedly reached #2 on the Hype Machine single charts. Justin quickly recruited some friends and put together the current live lineup, which includes Justin Miner (vox, guitar), his wife Kate Miner (vox, mandolin, ukulele, harmonica), his brother Jeremy Miner (banjo, lead guitar), his cousin Amanda Koosed (keys), and longtime friends Justin Krook (bass) and Dave Schechtman (drums & percussion).

Miner finds a unique groove within the recent indie-folk revival while still further blurring the genre lines between singer-songwriter, folk, and rock. They self-released a six-song EP called "Hey Love" in September, currently only available at shows. They are now writing new material for their debut album and continuing to perform live.

Yellow Red Sparks

Good coffee, cold weather, friends, family, trials, and tribulations. For some, these are the ins-and-out of everyday life. But for Yellow Red Sparks, this daily make-up holds the inspiration for their craft. The California based indie-folk trio possess a staggering ability to take seemingly normal circumstances, rewrite them with an uninhibited honesty and wistful beauty, and turn them into vivid scenes as told through their unique brand of cinematic folk.

Originally a moniker for California-based solo performer Joshua Hanson, Yellow Red Sparks now represents a trio, also comprised of Sara Lynn Nishikawa (upright bass/vocals), and Goldy (drums/vocals). Together, the three recreate Hanson's songwriting by blending lush harmonies and haunting melodies with softly echoed vocals, as so effortlessly demonstrated on their first self titled album, which was released on January 29, 2013, and produced by Ted Hutt (Gaslight Anthem, Lucero, Flogging Molly), mixed by Grammy award winner, Ryan Hewitt (Avett Brothers, Red Hot Chili Peppers, We Are Scientists), and mastered by multi-Grammy award winner, Brian Lucey (The Shins, Sigur Rós, The Black Keys).

The self-titled release is a spartan collection of short stories that, as principal songwriter, Joshua explains, is but a foreword into a much grander narrative. "Just like being human, this record as a whole goes through many emotions and each song on its own is meant to paint a portion of a picture," he muses. "I don't believe that it's possible to share everything a writer is feeling or trying to convey within 3 ½ minutes of a track."

From the high energy guitar of "Scents And Sensibility" to the heartfelt strings on "Happiness Comes In A Box," Yellow Red Sparks' first release is a mature accomplishment for the band, and garnered attention from an extensive range of tastemakers. The band have since gone on to win two accolades for their local OC Music Awards in the Best Folk category and opened for the likes of Local Natives, Sea Wolf, The Jezabels, and Aqualung.

yOya

Alex Pfender and Noah Dietterich grew up together in quiet Corvallis, Oregon. Bandmates from an early age, they honed their songwriting skills against a backdrop of classic folk music and wet winter days. When the duo moved to Los Angeles to study music, their folk background collided head-on with the electronic sounds of the big city. When the dust had settled yOya emerged with their extraordinary mix of folk-hearted songs, intricate vocal harmony, gritty synthesizers, and thundering electronic beats.Since self-releasing their debut album, "Nothing To Die," in April 2010, yOya has toured extensively through the western states, sharing stages with Avi Buffalo, Dawes, The 88, The Seedy Seeds, Crystal Antlers, RJD2, and many others. yOya made their SXSW debut at the Hello Music and Taylor Guitars "Artist To Watch" showcase in the spring of 2011, and went on to a summer residency in San Francisco. The band heads to the east coast for the first time in April, and returns to the studio this summer to complete their follow-up recording.

Sami

Sami is a restless spirit. Her natural beauty is a reflection of the ocean she dwells from (Hermosa Beach, CA). Her eyes are captivating and vulnerable. Her voice is honest and unique.

Born Samantha Freeman, Sami attended UCLA and graduated from the World Arts and Cultures Dance Department with a Bachelor of Arts, and a minor in Latin American Studies. While at UCLA, Sami began songwriting and composing for her fellow classmates in the Dance Department. Also, during her schooling, Sami traveled to South America, and studied abroad in Puerto Rico and Spain, where she started writing in both English and Spanish, and developed her skills playing the piano, guitar, and ukulele. From there, she spent a year in Vancouver, British Columbia as an Ambassadorial Scholar for the Rotary, studying music therapy at University of BC, and volunteering at a home for schizophrenic and bipolar as the principle music therapist.

Throughout her studies and travels, Sami has been recording with producer Troublemaker in Atwater Village, CA, working her debut project, a five song self-titled EP scheduled for release on Troublemaker's label, Hollyrock.

In addition, the two recorded a cover of Willie Nelson's "Crazy" (most notably recorded by Patsy Cline, and a #2 country hit in 1962), as an impromptu idea while working in the studio. Not to be missed, the cover is accompanied by a chilling and stunning visual directed by Jeff Vash.

Also of recent, Sami's music has been featured in a Chilean fashion commercial, and as closing credits for a feature film. Additionally, she contributed vocals to Rad Omen's "Leap of Faith," a collaboration with Lupe Fiasco's Soundclash.

In her constant pursuit of happiness, Sami has continually enriched her life and those around her's. Listen as her music tells her stories, and you'll fall in love and never let go.